Liquid-Liquid Extraction of O-Cresol from O-Cresol and Water Mixture by Using Ethylene Dichloride as an Extractant

Extraction is a liquid-liquid operation. It is a process of transferring a solute from one liquid phase to another immiscible or partially miscible liquid in contact with the first. The liquid- liquid extraction of O-Cresol and Water mixture (38.1 % O- Cresol, 61.9 % water) is carried out by using Ethylene Dichloride as an extractant. Liquid-liquid extraction is a promising method to achieve high distribution coefficient with good selectivity in case of O-Cresol removal from O-Cresol and water mixture. The extraction efficiency is calculated in terms of distribution coefficient (KD) and degree of extraction ( %E). Chemical equilibrium experiments are carried to investigate the number of stages required to recover high purity and yield of O-Cresol by using Ethylene Dichloride. It was found that the rate of extraction increase with increases in the solvent to feed ratio. By using this process 99 % pure O-Cresol from the bottom of distillation column can be obtained. This O-cresol can be used as a raw material for producing DMBPC & this will also helpful in minimizing water pollution & Also energy conservation.